Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys will likely come down hard on player who took out Penn State’s Joey Julius

Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys wouldn’t say what the punishment will be for redshirt freshman linebacker Jaylen Waters, but based on his reaction in the postgame press conference, it’s likely to be severe.

Claeys went further after his initial response, making it clear that he and his coaching staff did not condone Waters’ actions.

“I’m going to tell you this: Nobody has more pride and care about the game of football then me,” Claeys said. “… I care about protecting the game and I don’t believe in that crap. Anybody who thinks that we coached that does not know us.

“This is a great game. It has helped a hell of a lot of people and you’re also dealing with kids who are doing things. There are consequences for those decisions.”

This isn’t the first time the kicker has been targeted, either. A Pittsburgh special teams player took an unwarranted shot on Julius during Penn State’s game against the Panthers earlier this season.

Penn State coach James Franklin said this when he was asked about the Waters hit after the game Saturday:

“I think because Joey has been such a factor in getting down and making tackles that people are treating him differently. I think that’s a credit to Joey and his toughness. I do think that play fired everybody up.

“(Claeys) said something to me about that after the game that he is going to take care of that. I appreciate him saying that. It was an emotional game played by passionate and emotional people.

“I’m glad Joey’s okay and I’m also impressed that he’s built a reputation that you better deal with our kicker or he’ll get down there and make tackles.”